The Big Ex: Musik Express

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

Colourful ride lit up at night?  Check.
Over sized toy in hand of onlooker?  Check.  
Carnie yelling, "Do you want to go FASTER?!?".  Check.  
Kids full of carnie food on the verge of puking?  Check.  

Just another night at the Ex.

The Big Ex: Ox Pull Spectators

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

A mix of gents taking in the ox pull competition at the 2013 Big Ex.  Mr. Lunenburg County is in this shot, can you spot him? ;-)

The Big Ex: The Truth Hurts (especially if you're dead)

4-H Barn

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

This was one of my favourite 4-H projects on display at this year's Big Ex.  I see that the judges agreed.  

The Big Ex: What are YOU Lookin' At?

The Big Ex Poultry Barn

Bridgewater, NS

July 26, 2013

Yikes, I didn't recall getting the look I received from this bird at the time.  Looking at it now, I think I'm lucky I didn't get pecked through the cage!  

I love the markings on this bird's plumage.  I wish I had taken a picture of its breed/name.  I'm going to guess it's a Wyandotte.  Feel free to correct me. 

What's on this weekend? Horse & ox pulls! Sailboats! Eco fair! Blueberries!!

Several festivals on this weekend, if you are anywhere in the Bridgewater to Chester area, there's something happening this weekend. ^_^

For those who have been searching for the date of the upcoming Conquerall Bank planked halibut supper, it's next Sunday (Aug. 25th).

Breakfasts

August 17 

Firemen's Breakfast 

Petite Riviere Fire Department Hall

$7 per person

Community Events

August 16 & 17

New Ross Community Fair

Schedule of events here

Aug 14 - 17

Chester Race Week

Official site

Aug 13- 17

Growing Green Festival

Bridgewater, NS

Official site

Suppers

Saturday, August 17

Blueberry Supper, 

St. Jerome's Church Hall, West Caledonia,

4:30- 7 p.m. 

Adults $10; under 12 $5; under 5 free.

August 25

Planked Halibut Supper; 

Conquerall Bank fire hall.

4:30-6:30 p.m. 

$15 adults, $6 children and under 5 free. 

Seating area inside while you wait. Wheelchair accessible.

The Big Ex opens today!

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

That's right, today marks the opening day of The Big Ex.  No tampering with wrist bands, ya hear?

No visit to the Ex is complete without an order of fish and chips from the Italy Cross & Middlewood Fire Dept. stand.  Same goes for a bag of cinnamon sugar mini donuts.  Sunday's demolition derby is a must attend event.

Check out the schedule for detailed info.

See you at The Ex!

Big Ex Demo Derby: Mean Machine

The Big Ex

Demolition Derby

July 29, 2012

If I remember correctly, this was a '72 Chevy Malibu.  All that really matters is that this car is one mean mother effer.  

The driver was a 'seasoned pro', as you can see by how little damage was incurred after multiple sessions of 'smash and crash'.

If you get a chance to check out a demolition derby, DO IT!

The Big Ex: Who Needs Sunblock?

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

Clearly, these guys were not worried about the harmful effects of the sun's rays as they strutted around the exhibition grounds on this fine, sunny day in July.  

Does anyone know why a Newfoundland flag was flying from the building in the background?  I sure don't.

The Big Ex: Out and About

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

This old fullah was out for a stroll near the main gate, soaking in the gorgeous and sunny day that was July 25th.  

The Big Ex: Laughing the Day Away

The Big Ex Dining Hall

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

These two women were having a good time serving up a delicious corned beef dinner this summer at The Big Ex.

A little levity at the workplace sure goes a long way!

The Big Ex at Night

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

After a riveting evening of watching miniature pony races, I snapped this shot from the stands before leaving the exhibition grounds.  

My favourite fish and chips stand is in the foreground: Italy Cross and Middlewood Fire Department!

The Big Ex: Demolition Derby

The Big Ex: Demolition Derby

Bridgewater, NS

July 29, 2012

You are looking at the aftermath of the 6 cylinder class at this year's demo derby at The Big Ex.  This car won the 'most crushed' award...or was it 'best crush'?  

Believe it or not, the car in the ring is not a Smart Car or a hatchback. It is actually a Pontiac Grand Am!  Take a peek at a 'before' shot from an earlier post to compare.

As per usual, the local boys are keeping the Dukes of Hazzard alive with their tribute to the General Lee in the foreground.  (._.)

The Big Ex: Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner

The Big Ex dining hall

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

This may come as a shocker to my regular readers, but this was my first meal at the dining hall at TBE (aka The Big Ex).  I've walked past it every year but this time I finally made it inside for some down home grub served up Big Ex style.

It was pretty much what I expected.  Salty corned beef, luckily not too salty. All the veggies spent the requisite amount of time having the life boiled out of them in large pots.  The carrots were especially salty, bordering on unpalatable...but I soldiered on. The lemon meringue pie was a predictably delicious end to the meal.

It was a fun time, mostly for the people watching.  As you can see, there was no shortage of plaid in this joint!  The vinyl gingham table cloths were a nice touch.  Most men were sporting mesh backed ball caps and suspenders to accompany the regulation Dickies slacks.  Local yokels held court with their buddies, trading yarns about livestock and various diesel fueled machines.

I will definitely be returning to this eatery next year!

The Big Ex: Pure Country

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

Another candid from The Big Ex, spotted around the horse barns.  One of the few times of the year you'll see someone walking around with a cowboy hat in Bridgewater.  

You know you're 'down home' when....

On a recent trip to the Bridgewater Superstore, I read a sign that made me laugh out loud.  I laughed long and hard at that sign.

I wonder what possessed someone to write it?  Did a manager ask Trina to "make up a postah, so people know there's more tuna down back on a table"?   Is "down back" a location at the Superstore that is universally understood?  I wasn't sure where it was.  Beside the meat counter?  Near the frozen dinner section?  At the end of  aisle 6?  Behind the building?  Where is "down back" anyway?


Sadly, I did not have a pen with me so I could correct the sign to read, "...down back on to a table".  


The first time I saw the sign, I did not have my camera in hand.  The next day, I returned to the Superstore to capture the shot.  While I was there, I decided to go for a wander.  

Here, for your enjoyment, I have discovered the location of the elusive DOWN BACK!

The Big Ex: Plum Tuckered Out

The Big Ex: 4-H Barn

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

A trip to Bridgewater's annual agricultural fair is not complete without a visit to the 4-H barn.  It's great to see a new generation of kids learning how to raise, care and breed animals.  Chances are, these will be more useful survival skills than how to code HTML5.

This scene greeted me as I entered the building.  A young boy crashed out on a couple bales of hay, not unlike the other mammals resting beside him. 

This car is gooood, but it could use more crowbar....

The Big Ex:  Demolition Derby

Bridgewater, NS

This team spent quite a while trying to pry off that bumper.  I'm not sure how it was attached, it seemed pretty resistant to crowbars and pry bars, that's for sure!

This car eventually won the title of 'most crushed'.  It's a Pontiac Grand Am, remember what it looks like because the 'after' photo does not look like a Grand Am.  Stay tuned!

What's on this weekend? Bacon, eggs, beans and more bacon!

Time to get back to my usual routine of sharing out local community fundraiser/food events!

Two breakfasts on offer this weekend, all the other community groups and their volunteers must be at the beach or the cottage...

The Big Ex returns next week, kicking off on Tuesday with the SUPER popular street parade starting at 6 pm (bring a lawn chair and arrive early to scope out a good spot).  I might have to check out the wrasslin' event on Thursday the 26th...there's going to be a breakdancing/wrestling robot, I mean...C'MON!  Shockwave the Robot.  That is all.

Breakfasts

July 21, Saturday: 

Riverport and District Firemen's Breakfast, 

7:30- 11:30 a.m., 

usual menu, 

$7 adults; $3 children 6- 12; children 5 and under free. 

Next breakfast August 4.

Saturday, July 21
Benefit Breakfast For Fellow Firefighter and EMT, Robert Frampton. 

Bridgewater Fire Department,

7- 11 a.m. 

Bacon, Eggs, Hashbrowns, Toast, Baked Beans, Coffee/ Tea/ Juice. 

Adults $7; children, $4 (5 and under are free)

What's on this weekend? Bacon, bacon, bacon.

Looks a lot of the  fire departments in the are hosting breakfasts tomorrow morning. Fill up on bacon and enjoy the great weather for this long weekend, folks!

Breakfasts

Saturday May 19
Bridgewater Fire Hall
7:00am to 11:00am.
Cost $6.00, $3.00 for under 12 and under 5 eat free.

May 19,
Parkdale/Maplewood hall,
7-10:30 a.m.
Adults $6; youth, $3; under 5 free.
Homemade pancakes, real maple syrup, sausage, bacon, eggs, toast, juice, tea, coffee.

May 19, Saturday:
Riverport and District Firemen's Breakfast,
7:30- 11:30 a.m., usual menu,
$7 adults; $3 children 6- 12; children 5 and under free.

Saturday, May 19
Fireman's Breakfast
Petite Riviere fire hall
8-11 a.m.
Full menu,
adults $7, under 12 $3, under 5 free.
Information call 688-1174

What's on this weekend? Fireman's Breakfasts Galore!

Lots of breakfasts to choose from this weekend. If you are brave, head to Riverport and order the 'Dan Hill' (aka: EVERYTHING ON THE MENU). Just select everything on your order form, they won't have any idea what a 'Dan Hill' is. >_<

That pork tenderloin supper looks tempting! Sheesh, 8 bucks? Bargain!

Breakfasts

Saturday February 17th
Bridgewater Fire Department Band fundraiser
Bridgewater Fire Hall
7:00am to 11:00am.
Cost $6.00, $3.00 for under 12 and under 5 eat free.

March 17, Saturday
Riverport and District Firemen's Breakfast
7:30- 11:30 a.m.,
usual menu,
$7 adults; $3 children 6- 12; children 5 and under free.

Saturday, March 17
Fireman's Breakfast.
Petite Riviere fire hall,
8-11 a.m.
Full menu,
Adults $7, under 12 $3, under 5 free.
Information call 688-1174

Saturday, March 17
Blandford Community Centre,
9- 11 a.m.
Adults $6, children $3.

Suppers

Saturday, March 17
St. Patrick's Day Pork Tenderloin Steak Supper,
Lutheran Church, Hwy. 325, Newcombville
5-7 p.m.
Adults $8; children $4.